The ancestors encourage us to understand that the process of letting go is truly a matter of compassion and self acceptance. It means honoring who we were and honoring the person that we are today. When there seems to have been so much left unsaid or undone, how can we truly move on? Some of us seek closure from sources outside of ourselves just to find that we are never seen or validated. We become lost in a moment in time, trying to change the memory and the eventual outcome of what has been. In some ways, it can feel that the process of release comes with feelings of defeat. In order to heal and validate ourselves, it becomes more apparent that we must essentially give up the desire to heal and fix the world around us. Through the process of becoming vulnerable and surrendering to divine will, we open our hearts to letting go and cultivating the compassion needed for true self acceptance.
As life progresses all around us, we hold onto the memories that make us feel that we are not truly moving anywhere. We are the still rocks within the river, that block the flow of the waves. The ancestors tells us that we must be more like the river. The river allows its intuition and internal nature to guide its direction. It continues to move, because it must. Even the hardest rock is eventually softened by the river. Regardless of the many rocks and elements that are within the rivers path, it always finds a way to follow the course of its soul. It does all of this as the light of spirit illuminates upon it.
Now, imagine that you are a vibrant river, full of life and energy. You are trusting of your environment and allow the light of your intuition to guide your way. You can feel the cool soft winds moving through you, invigorating your body. You do not know where you are going, but it does not matter, because you are existing in this moment and are content just as you are. You are present and fully aware that you are being moved and guided by a greater force. You see rocks within your path. They are of every shape and size. Imagine that those rocks are the thoughts, the people, and the things within your life that you desire to let go of. The waves of your beautiful waters gently move into and around the rocks, comfortably and freely. Notice that it becomes easier to move past these rocks each and every time you do it. The rocks become smaller and softer as you move around and over them. Over time, some of the rocks crumble and drift away towards the ground floor, others become so small that they become non existent. You are now simply a river moving freely and peacefully towards your destination. Take a few moments to breathe deeply and to explore yourself as the river. Meditate upon this for a few moments throughout your day to assist in the process of release.
Today, I encourage you to explore what surrendering and letting go means to you, and the times that you have had to do this within your own life.
What is it that you are holding onto that you desire to let go of now?
Imagine that the painful memories of your past are locked within a beautiful chest within the center of your heart. Only you have the key to open this chest. This chest is filled with all of the people and situations that have influenced your life and contributed to these painful memories. The ancestors have come to protect you and comfort you as you proceed to open the chest. You unlock and open the chest and see all of your painful memories clustered together in a ball. You retrieve all of the memories from the chest, pulling them out one by one. As you hold up each memory, look at it and tell it why you want to let it go. Once you have done this, tell it the lessons you have learned from it and why you are grateful for those lessons. Tell it that you will now release it into the great fire of healing light to benefit you along your journey. Continue to do this until all of your memories have been acknowledged and the ball within the chest has disappeared.
There is a great fire that has been placed before you by spirit. Ask the ancestors to assist you in placing those memories into the healing fire, so they can be dissolved in light. Watch them crumble away before you until there is nothing left but the flame. Now that these memories have been released, what would you like to replace them with? You look back into the fire to find that your memories have taken on the form of something new. Some of them have taken the form of gentle and peaceful animals, spiritual guides, sacred objects and other forms. These guides and tools can be utilized to help you along your life path. Pull these beings and objects out of the fire. It feels good and safe to do so. They are now here to assist you in the process of creating joy and peace within your life and you can interact with them anytime you wish. If you ever find yourself thinking about these past wounds, you will now see them transform into the specific spirit helper associated with that memory. These spirit helpers will comfort, guide, and stay with you as you process your feelings and emotions. Communicate with your spirit helper now and see what wisdom they have for you today.
The chest within your heart is now empty, and once you have finished the communication with your spirit helpers, you can place them within your chest. You can also fill the chest with whatever else you wish to be there. Once you have re filled your chest, close it up and lock it with your key. Only you have access to your key and the chest will remain locked until you decide to open it again. Imagine that your ancestors are protecting it by surrounding it with a brilliant golden light. Your chest is now safe within your heart. Be at peace with this knowing and practice this visualization as often as you feel the desire to do so.
I also invite you to read and/or listen to, A Meditation on Letting Go and to review the interactive activity provided for self reflection on the topic. Explore your own sense of personal awareness by clicking on the link below.